Find out what the student-faculty ratio is. Colleges often use a low ratio as a selling point, because smaller classes mean more student-teacher interaction. Some students thrive in small discussion-based classes, but some don’t. You know your learning style, so pick a school that capitalizes on it. Remember, though a large state school might have a high student-faculty ratio, say 50:1, it’s often only the introductory level courses that are huge lecture hall classes. Find out the case for the specific program you’d like to be in.
Also worth noting: What did professors in your potential department do before they started teaching? Are they experienced and connected in the field? Schedule a class visit or meeting with a professor while on campus, and then stay in touch. Even if you won’t take that particular teacher’s class until your junior year, it’s never a bad idea to maintain a relationship with a contact.
